Two Named 2012 IYC Yacht, Charter Brokers of the Year

International Yacht Collection (IYC) is pleased to announce that Mark Elliott and Barbara Stork Landeweer are the company’s 2012 Yacht and Charter Brokers of Year respectively.

Based on their extraordinary contributions to their clients and IYC, both helped families and friends enjoy ownership and destination travel and facilitated IYC’s hold on market share in the global superyacht economy. Notably, this is Barbara’s second consecutive year as IYC Charter Broker of the Year and Mark’s sixth time being so honored.

“I congratulate Barbara and Mark on their exceptional performance during 2012,” says Bob Saxon, IYC President. "They both continue to exhibit superlative performance in the highly specialized fields of charter vacation and yacht sales respectively. To perform as they have in an extremely challenging marketplace speaks volumes about their selling skills and sensitivities to their clients' needs. More, both have administrative teams who are the best in the business. By extension, congratulations to Laura Berton and Alicia Ewing as well, Charter and Sales Assistants."

Mark Elliott, IYC Yacht Broker

Mark Elliott was born on the water in Miami, Florida and was destined to master the seas. Growing up with small boats, his yearning to become a yacht captain manifested at an early age. During the summers, Mark would race sailboats and deliver powerboats to many destinations; at 19, he was asked to deliver a 48’ Grand Banks from Miami to Alaska, giving him enough sea time to get his first Captain’s license.

Ever since, Mark’s yachts keep getting bigger! At 24, he forged a lasting relationship with premier yachtsman, Bernie Little, ultimately becoming captain and manager of the most successful fleet of charter yachts afloat for 18 years. Mark also became General Manager of Florida Yacht Basin, developing the shipyard into the largest megayacht paint and repair facility on the East coast. He then took the reins of Allied Marine Shipyard, the Hatteras, Azimut and Benetti dealership with more than $30 million in inventory and 110 employees at the time.

When the opportunity to run a 166’ yacht with a helicopter and sea plane—designed and built by Mark—appeared, Mark’s piloting, chartering and management skills matched her needs; he soon followed with management of StarShip.

With more than 20 years of direct experience aboard and in yacht management, Mark made the decision to sell and market yachts by teaming up with International Yacht Collection. He heads the St Maarten office in the winter season and the Newport, Rhode Island office in the summer. He is considered by clients and colleagues as one of the most talented and skilled of all yachting professionals.

“I was born and raised in New York and the only interest in water I had was going to the beach!” says Barbara. “Then, at 21, after working for Citibank, I needed a change of scenery. I loved the Florida sun and lifestyle, so I packed my bags and drove to South Florida where I was introduced to yachting by a restaurant customer.”

With secretarial and business training, Barbara landed her first yachting job at Fraser, learning the business and ultimately deciding that being a yacht charter broker was for her. “It was also at Fraser that I met my husband Peter, who has a great love of the ocean, being a fisherman and sportfishing yacht builder. Because of him, I too am devoted to the sea! Now, boating and fishing are at the top of the things I love to do.”

After many years in the yachting business, Barbara joined The Sacks Group Yachting Professionals, joining IYC when the firm acquired Sacks.

To support her quest to provide the best luxury vacation charter experience possible, Barbara travels extensively each year and attends major annual charter shows including Genoa, Antigua, Newport and Greece. She and her husband spend time aboard their boat cruising the Bahamas and Florida. “I think that my success is based on my support team at work and home and the fact that I love what I do,” she says.